Keep on shining with Ultramid® Vision
- First use of Ultramid® Vision in an automotive application
- Semi-transparent material allows light to pass through largely unimpeded
- Diverse range of potential applications in vehicle interiors
The BASF product Ultramid® Vision has been used in a car interior for the first time. The semi-crystalline polyamide is employed in the window regulator module of a German automobile manufacturer. Compared to opaque standard polyamides, Ultramid® Vision displays very high light transmission with low light scattering. Perfect conditions for use with the illuminated symbols on the window regulators and for setting the exterior mirrors.
Spots on – light comes through unhindered
Thanks to its unique characteristics profile, the polyamide is ideal for semi-transparent and translucent components. Its high UV and temperature resistance, scratch resistance and chemical resistance make Ultramid® Vision an important building block wherever visual control or light design play a role. In multi-component injection molding processes, it can be easily combined with other polyamide materials. This enables easy production of multifunctional components with transparent or illuminated areas – as the window regulator has demonstrated impressively.
“In the 2K injection molding process used here, Ultramid® Vision demonstrates good adhesion to the switch housing, which consists of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide. This was an important argument in favor of using Ultramid® Vision,” explains Dr. Rainer Xalter, product developer in the Performance Materials division at BASF. “A further selection criterion was the homogeneous light transmittance. The requirement was to allow as much light to pass through as possible, with high color fidelity of the transmitted light. Ultramid® Vision B3K WT15490 emerged as the right solution for the white symbols and Ultramid® Vision B3K DLT UN (DLT = diffuse light transmission, UN = uncolored) for the red status displays.”
As the material can be repeatedly exposed to aggressive media such as sun cream, cleaning agents and solvents without sustaining damage, it is ideally suited for backlit switches or buttons. This essential advantage over amorphous, transparent materials also impressed the French interior specialist Valeo. The product was jointly developed to production maturity and will now be used by a large automobile manufacturer. “Due to its excellent properties, Ultramid® Vision was a focus for us from the outset,” says Sebastian Laukat, project manager at Valeo, expressing his satisfaction with the semi-transparent, semi-crystalline polyamide from BASF. “The balanced characteristics profile in terms of mechanics and processability in conjunction with the high scratch resistance and UV stability were ultimately the decisive factors.”
Great versatility in color and design
Beyond the uncolored base-grade Ultramid® Vision B3K UN, specially equipped products with diffuse light transmission at high transmission rate as well as products colored according to customer requests can also be manufactured. The Ultramid® Vision portfolio therefore offers designers and developers a broad range of possibilities for realizing design features and lighting elements in car interiors and various consumer and industrial applications.
For more information: www.ultramid-vision.basf.com
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About BASF’s Performance Materials division
BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials’ know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customized plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors – transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods – the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with a deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2018, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €7.65 bn. More information online: www.plastics.basf.com.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com
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